LECTURE 1

Basic Reading Comprehension Skills 1

Identifying Key Words

Key words are considered very important in any academic tests because they may help you better
understand the specific meaning of sentences, paragraphs and texts. In some cases, they
even provide you important information to find answers to the questions.

1. Key words within a sentence

Key words are words which carry a lot of information or even the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, key
words are often called content words.

Note: Apart from key words or content words, there are other words in a sentence which are often
called structural words or function words. These words give the sentence grammatical meaning. Therefore,
they are considered less important than content words.

- If you remove structural words from a sentence, you will probably still understand its meaning.

- If you remove content words from a sentence, you will not understand its meaning because the sentence will
no longer make sense.
Below are some main categories of content words (in bold):

Content Words Examples

Nouns Car, table, education, Vietnam, etc.

E.g. He gives her a flower every day.

Adjectives, adverbs Blue, pink, important, significant, etc.

E.g. We had to face with a huge problem.

Verbs, main verbs Constructed, built, think, etc.

E.g. This building was built in 1992.

Numbers (often used to express time or 1990, 20%, etc.

quantity)
E.g. She was born in 1990.

Modifiers Some, any, all, many, most, etc.

E.g. Some people are standing in front of the café.

Modal verbs (when used to express Must, can, could, etc.

degree of obligation and certainty)
E.g. He didn’t turn out. He must have had some
problems at work.

Auxiliary verb Not

E.g. He is not an engineer.

Wh-pronouns Why, who, when, where, etc.

E.g. Where have you been?

Below are some main categories of structural words/ function words (in italics):

Structural Words Examples

I, she, me, him, her, etc.
Pronouns
E.g. He gives her a flower every day.

Am, is, are, have been, etc.

Auxiliaries
E.g. I am an engineer.

My, her, his, their, etc.

Possessive adjectives
E.g. I looked at her eyes.

In, on, at, under, etc.

Prepositions
E.g. The apple on the table is red.

A, an, the
Articles
E.g. He left the house at 6 o'clock.

Than
Comparatives
E.g. She is more beautiful than me.

Key words in the following sentences below are in bold:

- Networking is not a modern idea.

- All teachers are expected to be devoted to teaching.

Note: In some cases, structural words/function words become content words or key words when they are used
to express the contrast or comparison.

E.g.

- I give a flower to him, not to her. - This is my house, not her house.
2. Key words within a passage
Key words are often words repeated many times within a text. In some texts, key words are underlined or
printed in bold in order to highlight their importance. Therefore, these words are often called topic words.

E.g. The topic word of the following paragraph is salt.

Salt is the common name for the substance sodium chloride (NaCI), which occurs in the form of
transparent cubic crystals. Although salt is most familiar as a food supplement, less than 5% of
the salt produced in the United States is used for that purpose. About 70% salt is used in the chemical
industry, mostly as a source of chlorine. Salt is also used for countless other purposes, such as removing
snow and ice from roads, softening water, preserving food, and stabilizing soils for construction.

Note: Writers do not always use the same key words again. They will often paraphrase key words. It
is important for you to identify different ways of expressing key words in order to fully comprehend the text.

3. Key Words and the IELTS Reading Module

Why use the key words in IELTS reading approach?

Key words can help you read more efficiently. This is helpful because the texts are quite long and normally
complex. If you focus on key words, you can read more quickly by only looking at the part of the text you need
to.

When to use key words in the IELTS Reading Test?

Key words are useful, however, in the IELTS Reading they only ever tell you where the answer is in the text.
They do not tell you what the answer is.
1. Look at key words in the question.
2. Underline key words in the reading text.
3. Always read the whole question for meaning before you fill in your answer.
Practice 1: Underline the key words in the following sentences.

1. In the follow-up class, the teaching activities are similar to those used in conventional class.

2. Several species of wildlife in the British countryside are in decline.

3. Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatres alike and has been the
basis for numerous operatic, film, and literary adaptations.

4. Natural forests still exist in some parts of Europe.

5. 90% of all Pacific salmon caught are sockeye or pink salmon.

6. Where can you catch the Prime train in the village?

Practice 2: The following questions are taken from actual IELTS Reading tests. Read the
questions and underline all the key words.

1. The metal used in the float process had to have specific properties.

2. Students who study all the time may receive positive comments from their colleagues.

3. Younger Australians tend to be friendlier than older Australians.

4. Scientists have found it easy to work out why babies use one-word sentences.

5. Children have more conversation with adults than with other children.

6. The original intention of the Web was to help manage one extremely complex project.

7. Supermarkets find right-handed people easier to persuade than left-handed people.

8. People feel better about their shopping if they buy fruit and vegetables before they buy other food.

Practice 3: What is the topic word(s) of the following paragraph? Choose the correct option.

Paragraph 1:

Fingerprints are the patterns of ridges on the tip of our fingers. They are one of the most mature biometric
technologies and is considered a legitimate proof of evidence in courts of law all over the world. Fingerprints
fully formed at about 7 months of fetus development and finger ridge configurations do not change throughout a
person’s life except due to accidents such as bruises and cuts on the finger tips. Fingerprints are routinely used
by forensic science labs and identification units for criminal investigations. More recently, an increasing
number of civilian and commercial applications (e.g. welfare disbursement, cellular phone access, laptop
computer log-in) are either using or actively considering using fingerprints based verification because of the
availability of inexpensive and compact solid state scanners and their superior and proven matching
performance over other biometric technologies.

Fingerprints

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 Fingers

Technologies

Paragraph 2:

The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard on Earth. It's about 3 meters long. It has strong legs and a long tail. It
only lives on Komodo Island and on three other small islands which belong to Indonesia. The Komodo dragon
can run and swim fast. It has sharp teeth and it has poison in its saliva. It eats deer and buffaloes - it even eats
other Komodo dragons. Young Komodo dragons have to live in trees so that the adults can't eat them.

Lizard

Legs

Komodo dragon

Paragraph 3:

Hispaniolan solenodons live on one island called Hispaniola, in the Caribbean Sea. Solenodons are about 50
centimeters long. They have a long nose and they are the only mammal with poison in their teeth. They use their
nose and teeth to hunt insects and other small animals. Hispaniolan solenodons lived at the time of the
dinosaurs, 65 million years ago. The solenodons are now in danger because people are cutting down the forests
where they live as well as being threatened by domestic animals. If we don’t protect them, the last solenodons
will die and the species will become extinct.

Island

Hispaniolan solenodons

Animals

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 Basic Reading Comprehension Skills 2
Previewing and Predicting

What is Previewing? What is Predicting?

Before you start on a trip, you usually look at a map. It helps you plan your way. Then you know what
to expect as you travel. This is a good idea in reading, too. Look before you read. Then it is much easier to
understand. That is what you do when you PREVIEW.

The aim of previewing a text is to help you to PREDICT or to make some “educated guesses” about
what will be in the reading.

Previewing and predicting a text is a part of the pre-reading process. It activates your brain to find
background knowledge on a topic that you might already have, by helping you make connections to the text
before you read it. Though it can sometimes take a few minutes to preview and predict a text, that way will help
you more readily comprehend and remember the information.

Eg. Read this passage.

The first time you try it, ask someone to help you. You may fall if no one holds you up. You may fall if no
one holds you up. It’s is a good idea to start on the sidewalk. The street may be dangerous. After you
start, do not stop. Try to go faster. That will help you to stay up. Remember, even little children can do
this. And once you learn how, you will never forget!

What is this passage about? ____________________________________

If you cannot tell, look at the picture on the next page.

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 pric

Pictures help you understand. Before you read, always look at the pictures!

Steps of Previewing a Reading Passage

Step 1: Look at the title of the passage to make a prediction about what you think it is about. Do you know
anything about this subject?

Step 2: Seek information about the context of the passage:

- Who is the author?

- What qualifications or experience does he or she have?
- When and where was the text published?
- To whom does it address?
Step 3: Look over any pictures or visual information and their titles or captions. Quite often, the author
includes photographs or illustrations in the text since they are usually closely related to his/her ideas. Therefore,
it is important to preview this, too.
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Step 4: Read any headings, sub-headings/sub-titles or words in bold, italics or CAPITALS throughout the text.
The headings condense the content of the text for you into just a few words and can give you an idea where the
author’s main argument is headed.
Step 5: Decide what kind of text it is – it is an essay, an argument, a story or an explanation. Look at the way
the text is organized.
Step 6: Read quickly the first line of each paragraph or sub-division, then the last few sentences in the final
paragraph.
E.g. Read the following passage. It will help you learn how to preview.

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Choose the best answer. Don’t look back at the passage.

1. This passage is about 2. Tomiko is

A. an American student in New York. A. unhappy.

B. a Japanese student in New York. B. happy.

C. a Japanese student in Japan. C. lonely.

D. a Japanese man studying in New York. D. not busy

3. She goes to plays in 4. Tomilo has

A . large theaters. A. few interests.

B. small theaters. B. few friends

C. New York. C. many interests.

D. all of the above. D. nothing to do.

Now read the whole passage.

How many did you answer correctly?______

You can learn a lot about a passage if you read just a few important sentences. This is the reason for Previewing
and Predicting.

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Exercise 1: Read the following title of a text and choose the items of information that you think may be
available in the text.

Title 1: “Boston: A great place to live”

There are many poor people in Boston.

The spring flowers are beautiful in Boston.

The standard of living is high.

There are many respected universities in Boston.

Jobs are hard to find in the Boston area.

There are many famous old buildings in downtown Boston.

People are very friendly in Boston.

Apartments are very expensive and hard to find.

Title 2: “Modern dentists: How they can help you”

Dentists hurt your teeth.

Dentists are equipped with new machines.

Some dentists play music as a way of relieving pain.

Some dentists will pull out all your teeth.

Your teeth are poorly cleaned at the dentist’s office.

The dentist’s office is very comfortable.

Dentists can provide you with many dental care methods since “prevention is better than a cure”

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 A visit to the dentist is too expensive.

The dentist may X-ray your teeth to identify potential problems between your teeth and gums.

Modern dentists must study for many years.

Exercise 2:

Question 1: Read the passage title and choose the items of information that you think may be available in
the text.

Passage title:

IELTS - The test that opens doors around the world

(Extracted from IELTS Information for Candidates – www.ielts.org)

1. What the IELTS test is.

2. In which countries, the IELTS test result is not accepted.

3. What the format of the IELTS test is.

4. How the IELTS test-takers are assessed.

5. How the IELTS test benefits its test-takers.

6. With the IELTS qualification, the test taker can go anywhere in the world.

7. What tips to best perform in the IELTS test are.

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Question 2: Preview the text and match the following definitions on the left with relevant parts taken
from the text on the right.

1. Title a) The IELTS Band Score Scale

2. Heading b) Test Report Form validity

c)

3. Subheading
IELTS - The test that opens doors around the
world
4. Visual information d) Sample of an IELTS Test Report Form

e)

5. Title of visual information

6. Caption of visual information f) The international test

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Reading passage

IELTS - The test that opens doors around the world

(Extracted from IELTS Information for Candidates – www.ielts.org)

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates
who want to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is recognised by over 6,000
organisations worldwide, including universities, employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other
government agencies. For a list of organisations that accept IELTS scores, visit http://bandscore.ielts.org

Accessible and convenient

IELTS is offered up to four times a month in more than 125 countries. Tests are usually on Saturdays or Thursdays.
To find out test dates in your area, please contact your nearest IELTS test centre. A list of all IELTS test centres
worldwide is available at www.ielts.org

The international test

IELTS is internationally focused on its content. For example, a range of native-speaker accents (North American,
Australian, New Zealand, and British) is used in the Listening test, and all standard varieties of English are accepted
in candidates’ responses in all parts of the test.

The level of the test

IELTS is designed to assess English language skills at all

levels. There is no such thing as a pass or fail in IELTS.
Results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the
lowest) to 9 (the highest).

Sample of an IELTS Test Report Form

Test results

The Test Report Form

You will receive a Test Report Form which reports a score for
each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking),
as well as an overall band score. Half band scores may be
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 awarded to indicate strong performance within a particular band.

Results are issued 13 days after the test. At some test centres candidates may collect their results on the 13th day; at
others, results are mailed on the 13th day. Test centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or by fax or
email.

You will receive only one copy of the Test Report Form. It’s important that you keep it safe as replacement Test
Report Forms cannot be issued. Test centres will send copies of the Test Report Form to up to five recognising
organisations free of charge.

Test Report Form Validity

Recognising organisations will not usually accept a Test Report Form that is more than two years old unless you
provide evidence that you have actively maintained or tried to improve your English since taking the test. The IELTS
Test Partners cannot confirm the validity of test results that are more than two years old.

Test Format

There are two modules to choose from – Academic and General Training.
Each recognising organisation sets its own entry requirements. In some
cases both modules may be accepted. If you are in doubt as to which
module to take, you should contact the organisation you are applying to in
order to check their requirements.

Both modules cover all four language skills – listening, reading, writing
and speaking. Everyone takes the same Listening and Speaking tests.
There are different Reading and Writing tests for the Academic and
General Training modules.

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests must be completed on the same
day. There are no breaks between the three written tests. The Speaking
test may be taken up to seven days before or after the other three tests.

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Exercise 3: Preview and Predict about the following passage. Remember to use the steps for
previewing and predicting a passage.

Most people in the United States speak only one language: English. They do not learn to speak a second
language. High schools teach languages, but very few students learn to speak well. Why don’t Americans speak
other languages?
First, most American never travel to other countries. The United States is a very large country. Americans
can travel a long distance and not leave the United States. They do not need to learn a second language.
Second, one of the countries next to the United States is Canada. Most people in Canada speak English.
Some Americans live near Canada. They travel there often, but they do not have to learn a new language.
Third, many people in other parts of the world speak English. If Americans travel to other countries, they can
speak English there, too.
Some Americans think that it is a mistake to speak only English. They believe it is very important to learn a
second language. Maybe someday other Americans will agree. Then more people will speak a second language in
the United States.

Don’t look back at the passage. Choose the best answer.

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Exercise 4: Preview and Predict about the following passage. Remember to use the steps for
previewing and predicting a passage.

A. Recalling Facts:

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B. Understanding ideas:

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